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ECU’s Master of Counselling has been developed to identify and evolve with rapidly changing market trends in the counselling industry. This online degree, delivered in accelerated learning mode, examines the fundamental theories and techniques of counselling and how these can be translated and adapted for delivery across a range of face-to-face and online modalities. Within the course, students learn how to engage with clients through a person-centred framework and consider effective interventions from a range of theoretical backgrounds including psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, and humanistic. With specific units focusing on children and adolescents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and practice, counselling in a digital world, and trauma-informed practice, students explore counselling in a wide range of situations and contexts. The ethical and professional issues faced by counsellors are also examined, including the moral obligations and dilemmas faced by counsellors as the field expands across the digital realm. With a focus on real-life skill development and reflective practice, the course includes 220 hours of professional placement in an agency setting, including 16 hours of supervision. Students will graduate with the job-ready skills needed to deliver flexible, meaningful, and effective counselling practices in unique and far-reaching ways. This course requires the completion of ALL practical components in Australia, including the COU6510 - Advanced Skills and Techniques 3-Day Intensive Workshop and the COU6511 - Professional Field Placement.
This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.
The final unit of this course requires students to engage in a Professional Field Placement, providing an opportunity for the student to receive supervised practice in an agency setting. Aimed at developing the full identity and competence of the counsellor, students will be required to plan, implement and evaluate counselling sessions, collaborate as part of an inter professional team, engage reflectively in supervision and adhere to agency protocols, policies and procedures.
Students will be required to apply for and supply current Working with Children Check (WWCC) cards and police clearances as part of their eligibility to enroll in the Professional Field Placement unit
Students are expected to meet professional standards of punctuality, dependability and responsibility, with a compulsory attendance requirement of no less than 80%.
These will be defined by the agencies in which the students attend for their placements.
Passing the Professional Field Placement unit is a requirement of completing the course.
This course has been Accredited by: Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
All applicants are required to attend an interview. Application will involve submission of academic transcript, two referee reports, and personal statement about motivations to complete the course.
This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.
For accelerated online, enrolment is classified as part-time, as students are studying one unit per study period with 6 accelerated study periods per year, each 7 weeks in length.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU6501 | Foundations of Counselling Practice | 20 |
| COU6502 | Theories and Techniques in Counselling | 20 |
| COU6503 | The Role of the Counsellor | 20 |
| Students can exit with a Graduate Certificate in Counselling following successful completion of the above three units. | ||
| COU6504 | Ethics in Counselling | 20 |
| COU6505 | Counselling in a Digital World | 20 |
| COU6506 | Mental Health Counselling | 20 |
| COU6507 | Trauma-Informed Counselling | 20 |
| COU6508 | Counselling at the Cultural Interface: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and Practice | 20 |
| COU6509 | Child and Adolescent Counselling | 20 |
| COU6510 | Advanced Theories and Techniques in Counselling | 20 |
| COU6511 | Professional Field Placement | 40 |
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
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